it came slowly out
of the switchgrass
and weeds
plodding
reptilian black
against the light brown dust
of the bike trail
i rode up to it
two feet long at least
from head to tail
so think skinned
and heavy
and that menace
of a mouth
we quietly eyed each other
before the snapping turtle
rambled
down the embankment
and slide
into the dark water
of the canal
we still behold the ancient
gaze at the wonders of heaven
marvel at what the past holds up to her mirror